Automobile flag holder



N GAINES AUTOMOBILE FLAG HOLDER Nov. 8, 1927.

Filed Jan. 26, 1925 Patented Nov. 8, 1927.

UNIT

l i tir AUTOMOBILE FLAG HOLDER.

- Application filed January I This invention relates to an improved flag holder for motor vehicles and seeks, among other objects, to provide device of this character which maybe readily attached to a radiator cap for supporting a number of small flags at the front of the vehicle.

The invention seeks. as a further object, to provide a device which will firmly grip the radiator cap, so that accidental loss of the device will be avoided, while, however, the cap will not be injured, nor will the device interfere with the manipulation of the cap in filling the radiator.

And the invention seeks, as a still further object, to provide a device which will be neat and attractive, and which may be manufactured at small cost.

Other and incidental objects will appear hereinafter. V

In the accompanying drawing 2 Figure 1 is a perspective view ofmy r111 proved flag holder, a radiator cap being shown in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a sectional view showing the device applied to a. conventional radiator cap.

Figure 3 is a front elevation showmg a slight modification of the invention.

Figure 4: is a perspective view showing the joined ends of arms form ng part of the fla holder.

figures 5, 6 and 7 are fragmentary detail views showing the use of different securing.

devicesfor connecting the free ends of the jaws of the attaching clamp of the device wit-beach other.

In carrying the invention into effect, I employ an attaching-clamp which is prefer ably formed from a flatstrip of suitable spring metal bent to produce a substantially triangular-shaped head embodying a straight connecting portion 10 at the ends of which are rearwardly converging spring arms 11, while at the rear ends of said arms, the end portions of the metal strlp are again bent to define a pair of arcuate spring jaws 12 terminating attheir free ends in outturned loops or hooks 13. Thus, as will be seen, the clamp may be readily formed and, as will be appreciated, the arms 11 will yieldably support the jaws 12 for relative movement. Preferably, the jaws lie in the same plane with the head. I

Fixed to the portion 10 of the head of the clamp is a plurality of upstanding sockets 14,-

each of a diameter to snugly. receive the 2s, 192a Serial No. 4,841.

lower end of a flag stick, as conventionally shown in Figure 2, at 15. I have illustrated the use of threeof said sockets, and preferably the middle socket is disposed vertically while the sockets 'at the sides are disposed in upwardly divergent relation. This arrangement is preferably followed in any instance where a greater number of sockets are employed so that the upper ends of the several flag sticks will be spread accordingly. The sockets 1 are each preferably formed of a short length of metal tubing flattened at its lower end and 'welded'or. otherwise fixed to the portion .10,of the head ofthe clamp. In the present instance, I have illus trated saidtubes as being each formed from a blank of sheet metal rolled so that its longitudinal margins overlap when said margins are appropriately secured together and the lower end of the tube flattened. However, drawn tubing may be employed if so desired. y

In Figure 3 of the drawings, I have illustrated a slight modification of the invention, wherein the flag stick sockets are each formed of a coiled spring,the lower endof which is continued to form an eye 17 accommodating a rivet or other suitable fastening device 18 connecting the socket with the portion 10 of the head of the attaching 'clamp. The socket-s 16 are each of an internal diameter to snugly receive a flag stick asconventionally"illustrated at 19, and, as will be seen, said, Sockets will serve to efficiently support the flags. Furthermore, the c'onvolutions of the sockets will tend to grip the flag stidks and. thusprevent acct dental displacement thereof,

In Figure 1 of the drawings, I have shown a conventional radiator cap in dotted lines, at 20, while, in Figure 2, the cap is shown in full lines. As will be observed, the cap disclosed is provided with the usualoverhanging rim 21and in applying the present device, the aws 12 of the attaching clamp are preferably engaged about the cap immediately beneath the rim so that the rim will limit the clamp against upward displacement as well as abut the upper edges of the jaws for steadying the device. As will be perceived, the jaws may be readily slipped about the cap, when said jaws will have snug fitting engagement therewith and the several flags carried by the device will be supported to upstand at the front of the vehicle radiator. The loops 13 will, of

course rovide rounded surfaces which when the free ends of the aws are first engaged with the radiator cap, will coactwith the curved wall of the cap for'riding the ends of the jaws apart to engage about the cap. I accordingly provide a particularly simple and eflicient device for the purpose set forth and, as will now be appreciated, a device which may 'be manufactured at little cost.

In order to securely hold thearms in gripping engagement with the neck, I have provided'a fastener which includes "a strap I 24: provided atone end w1th an eye25 and the link plate and swung back to the position shown for binding the jaws 12 in firm engagement with the cap. The jaws will thus be firmly clamped about the radiator cap and, as will be appreciated, the link plate 27 provi les a range of adjustment for accommodatingradiator caps of diflerent diameters. Y

n In, Figures 5, 6 and 7 of thedrawings, I

have illustrateddifierent means for accomplishing this object. In Figure 5, I have shown the use of a cord 22 which, atterthe clamp is engaged with a radiator cap, is

arranged to extend between the loops 13fof the, jaws 12and tied for tightly securing the jaws in engagement with the cap. In Figure 6, I have shown the use of a coil spring 23 which ishooked at its ends over the loops 13 of the jaws for securing the jaws about reassess the radiatorcap. The contractive force of the spring will, of course, tend to bind'the jaws at all times in firm engagement with the cap. In Figure 7, I have shown one of the jaws 18 as provided with a terminal lug 29 while the other of said jaws is provided with a terminal loop 30.. A link plate 31 is also'shown and is provided with. a terminal lug 32 to mate with the lug 29 as well as with spaced openings '33 to selectively receive the loop' O. Engaged through; the lug 29 is a screw 34- which may be adjusted for tightly binding the about a radiator cap an d,'of course, by adjusting the position of the link plate, radiator caps of difierent diameters may be accommodated.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

A flag holder comprising a strip of material bent to form a cross bar and arms extending from its ends, said'arms conver in'g from the cross bar and being then bent to provide portions adapted to engageopposite side portions of a support and at their eX- treme ends bent to form hooks, a-strip 'eX- tending longitudinally of one arm 1n overlapping relation thereto and projecting from its free end towards the other arm, said strip being formed with longitudinally spaced openings and the hook of the first arm being engaged in a selected opening to retain the strip in a set position longitudinally of the arm, a fastener including ashank formed with an eye at one end releasably engaged with the hook of the second arm and a bill pivoted to the other end of the'shank and engaged in an opening in the project ing end portion of said strip to hold the arms in tight binding engagement with the support, and a staff-receiving socket carried by said cross bar. A

y In testimony whereof I afiix mysrgnature NOEL GAINES. a 5. 

